Is there no depth to the depravity of some people?
Just when you think you've seen it all THIS happens!
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/paramus/64k-in-locomotive-airhorns-stolen-by-nj-transit-machinist-feds/
The Adirondack Railroad had four horns stolen several years ago. There were no clues as to who did it - like graffiti, this stuff happens out-of-sight.
I've seen numerous suggestions for how to make them significantly harder to steal.
I'd suspect that while it's possible you might find some of them on some railfan's mantle, it's more likely they are mounted in semi's.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Flintlock76Is there no depth to the depravity of some people? Just when you think you've seen it all THIS happens! https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/paramus/64k-in-locomotive-airhorns-stolen-by-nj-transit-machinist-feds/
When I was working we had a quarry in the Northeastern part of Maryland where we would normally leave the locomotives with the cars they took to be loaded. After several times of the Outbound Crew called to get the loads found the locomotives without horns. After several instances of this, we would bring the locomotives back to Baltimore and have the crew get the power in Baltimore and go to the quarry to get the train - probably added three hours to the run, on average.
The Northeastern part of Maryland is a short hop through Delaware from New Jersey.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACDThe Northeastern part of Maryland is a short hop through Delaware from New Jersey.
Horns are a hot commodity all over the country. Between collectors, truck drivers (everything from semis to brodozers), and yeah, even some fire departments.
Since this guy was a machinist, I'm goint to go out on a limb and say this was probably more of a "taking from the supply closet" instead of the "climbing on engines with a wrench" sort of thing.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
zugmanneven some fire departments.
While I'd like to believe that a fire department would be above board enough not to steal a horn themselves, that's not to say that they haven't picked up horns from the "used" market...
tree68While I'd like to believe that a fire department would be above board enough not to steal a horn themselves, that's not to say that they haven't picked up horns from the "used" market...
One of our local departments had a 5 chimer they picked up off Ebay for their rescue. When pointed out on a local fire forum (this was several yars ago) that there was a good chance it was stolen, their repsonse was pretty much "we don't care - horns go HONK!".
Probably wouldn't have been happy if someone unbolted the Q off their bumper and took it. That department was a big believer in the buddy box system, so par for the course I guess.
That was years ago, so I don't even know if they have the rescue or horns anymore.
Over the decades of this century we have seen integrity in society become a rare commodity.
zugmann Since this guy was a machinist, I'm goint to go out on a limb and say this was probably more of a "taking from the supply closet" instead of the "climbing on engines with a wrench" sort of thing.
I stand corrected. Guess he really was up there with a wrench.
BaltACD Over the decades of this century we have seen integrity in society become a rare commodity.
It certainly seems to be the directtion that we, as a country, are headed in; with no end in sight.
{In some 25 years OTR, I heard, and saw more "rairoad (?)-style" air horns around the coal hauling districts of Alabama; than anywere else....}
Wasn't there a series of M*A*S*H episodes where Radar O'Reily mailed home a jeep one part at a time?
rdamon Wasn't there a series of M*A*S*H episodes where Radar O'Reily mailed home a jeep one part at a time?
It was just one episode. The season one Christmas episode.
I always wondered how he'd of gotten the frame and other big components home, lol.
It takes a significant air supply to blow railroad horns, especially if you intend to blow them more than once.
Leo_Ames rdamon Wasn't there a series of M*A*S*H episodes where Radar O'Reily mailed home a jeep one part at a time? It was just one episode. The season one Christmas episode. I always wondered how he'd of gotten the frame and other big components home, lol.
Shades of Johnny Cash...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uErKI0zWgjg
Or the "Nein, vee tink you are trying to escape." joke from Memphis Belle.
rixflix aka Captain Video. Blessed be Jean Shepherd and all His works!!! Hooray for 1939, the all time movie year!!! I took that ride on the Reading but my Baby caught the Katy and left me a mule to ride.
BaltACD It takes a significant air supply to blow railroad horns, especially if you intend to blow them more than once.
As long as the compressor can keep up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTRYm_peqGA
Jeff
jeffhergertAs long as the compressor can keep up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTRYm_peqGA Jeff
I'm reminded of a guest who occasionally visited a morning radio show (J.P. McCarthy, IIRC) in Detroit back in the 1960's.
The guy did phenomenal sound effects - with his mouth.
You had to hear his version of moving between two railroad passenger cars to believe it. Even included the "clickety-clack."
He installed a PA system in his car.
For some period of time he and a co-worker commuted through a small town each night at oh-dark-thirty. The town had no rails running through it.
He started broadcasting the sound of a passing train each night through the PA.
Reportedly he all but had the town's residents on their hands and knees looking for the tracks...
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